Wednesday, March 31, 2010

In Bloom

In 1912, Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo gave the city of Washington, DC 3,000 Cherry trees. In a simple ceremony on March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two trees from Japan on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park.

In 1915, the United States Government reciprocated with a gift of flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan. A group of American school children reenacted the initial planting in 1927 and the first "festival” was held in 1935, sponsored by civic groups in the Nation’s Capital.

Because of the yo-yo weather this year, the trees should be at their peak bloom tomorrow and Friday. If you have the time, please fight the crowds and stop to enjoy the beautiful trees.

Happy Easter everyone.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

About Face

Vintage photo from Vogue Magazine, March, 1950

With every new season I like to update my “face”. My basic makeup routine remains fairly even throughout the year but small adjustments can instantly refresh your everyday look. Below are my favorites for Spring 2010.


Nailpolish: Chanel Le Vernis Particuliere
This color was seen last Fall on the runways and has been blogged about and coveted ever since. It’s often described as a “putty” color but I consider it a clean “greige”. I like neutral nail polish, especially this time of year when the weather can be unpredictable and your wardrobe fluctuates from bright and light to dark and heavy. As far as neutrals go, I think this is one of the best.
Chanel Le Vernis Particuliere, $23. Chanel.com

Face: Benefit Posietint
Benefit is known for coming up with cute and quick solutions to everyday skin problems. Posie Tint is a darling poppy tinted blush all that I can’t live without. The hot pink liquid can be intimidating at first, but brush a little onto your cheek bones and blend for an instant flush that makes you look sunkissed and rosie without looking like a clown. Posie Tint also doubles as a lip tint and even goes great on eye lids for a dewey look.
Benefit Posietint, $28. Sephora.com

Lips: Chanel Rouge Coco Égérie
This is my first grown up lipstick and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Égérie means a rebellious and daring spirit who never loses her sense of elegance and sophistication. I don’t proclaim to be rebellious or even very daring but this beautiful coral goes on smooth and makes me feel like I can take on the day. Lipstick is hard to find and I tried on about 15 or the 30 new Rouge Coco shades before deciding on Égérie. The cream like texture of the lipstick is perfect for a generation used to gloss and Chanel knows how to train their associates; I learned how to apply lipstick properly and they sold me on a gloss.
Chanel Rouge Coco Égérie, $30. Chanel.com


How to Apply Lipstick

If lips are dry apply a chapstick, not a gloss. I recommend Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment. If you use a lip liner apply now, if not, skip!

After the chapstick apply the lipstick. They recommend a brush but for a lady on the go, it applies nicely from the tube.

Blot by folding a tissue over and pressing your lips to it, like a kiss without the pucker. After you do this your lipstick will be matted.

Follow up with another layer or lipstick and top off with a gloss. I stick to a clear gloss but you can experiment with different colors to change the shade.

Hair: Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo
My hair changes drastically from Winter to Spring. I think it gets confused and tired and gives up until around the end of April when it returns to life. In order to combat hair fatigue this year I decided to attempt to train my hair and the amount of oil it produces. In order to do this I had to commit to not washing every day, so I opted for every other day. Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo is a lifesaver! It zaps up excess oil and gives hair a wonderful lift making it look like I just dried it. I usually zap it with some heat and style as usual. It took about two weeks but my hair produces far less oil and feels a silkier. This white powder blends in with any hair color and comes in a great travel size too! Perfect to keep in your desk for a pre-happy hour refresher.
Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo, $11. Sephora.com

Go Get Pretty! 

My Spring Fling

As we approach the official start of Spring with beautiful weather and temperatures reaching the 70's, I decided to share my list of spring favorites!  For the next few weeks I'll highlight what's making me smile through March, April and May!

XO

Heather

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Healthy Eats

Somewhere between snow days and Olympic glory, I forgot to blog!  As spring inches near my time is spent less in front of a computer and more, well, everywhere else.

One of my favorite spring volunteer activities is the Junior League Kids in the Kitchen, an annual kids health fair!  The event is this Saturday from 10 - 2 PM at the YMCA near St. Matthew's Cathedral.  I'll be there, hopefully face painting (fingers crossed) and assisting in the myriad of activities available!

If you, or anyone you know has children please bring them to this FREE and FUN event! 

Hope to see you on Saturday! 

Kids in the Kitchen
Saturday, March 6, 2010
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
YMCA National Capital
1711 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

LINKS:
Junior League of Washington Kids in the Kitchen
AJLI Kids in the Kitchen Initiative
Information Flyer